Nearly 12 years ago, A gruesome knee
injury brought to a conclusion the career of the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft
by the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the weekend, he retired from “The Association”
on his own terms—with three NBA titles after playing an integral role for the
five-time defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors.
On Friday, reserve guard Shaun Livingston
announced his retirement on his Instagram page @sodt1414 following 15 NBA
seasons, playing for the Clippers; Oklahoma City Thunder; Washington Wizards; then
Charlotte Bobcats, now Charlotte Hornets; Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers,
Brooklyn Nets and Warriors. The 34-year-old from Peoria, IL helped the Warriors
reach five consecutive NBA Finals appearances in his five years with the team.
Livingston had signed a three-year, $24
million contract to remain in the Bay Area in 2017 but was waived by the Warriors
two months ago to save some salary off their books. He has though discussed
remaining with the team, working in their front office.
Livingston shared a statement on his
Instagram page and Twitter account to the teammates he played with; his wife
and kids and all that were a part of his NBA journey, “After 15 years in the
NBA, I’m excited, sad, fortunate and grateful all in one breath. Hard to put
into a caption all of the emotions it takes to try and accomplish your dreams,”
“I wasn’t supposed to be here. Anybody that has beat the odds understands the
mental and emotional strain it takes to inspire yourself on an uphill war, let
alone inspire others. ‘The Injury’ gave me a chance to find and prove to myself
[and the world] that I wouldn’t be defined by my circumstances With my time in
the League what I will be most proud of is the fact that my character, values
and faith were tested, and I persevered. To my pops that told me to “go get the
ball” I THANK YOU. To my Grandpa that always showed me there was more to life
than basketball I THANK YOU. To my Uncles that helped raise me like I was one
of their own, THANK YOU. To my wife and kids…the future is BRIGHTER than our
past, and I couldn’t see myself taking on this chapter without you. To all my
teammates, coaches, TRAINERS, staff, my journey is a collection of experiences,
and those of you that helped me along the way, THANK YOU! To all the fans and
anybody else that inspired me, supported me, cheered for me, or even said good
words about me, THANK YOU. “The greatest gift we can give is service to others.”
#Raiseaglass [wine glass emoji].
That injury Livingston suffered, where he
tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); posterior cruciate ligament (PCL); medial
collateral ligament (MCL); the lateral meniscus and his knee cap and
tibiofemoral joint on Feb. 26, 2007 versus the Bobcats while with the Clippers
that would have ended the careers of many other athletes, let alone many
basketball players. Doctors thought Livingston’s leg would have to be amputated.
He underwent extensive surgery that was
performed by well known orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL
to repair that knee.
Livingston then had to re-learn to just
simply walk before he could even have a though of getting back onto a
basketball court, let alone returning to playing against the best basketball
players on the planet.
This was a guy who was supposed to be the
next Earvin “Magic” Johnson, with his size and ability to make plays for others
with his court vision and stellar passing ability, and incredible athleticism.
Thoughts of him even playing above the rim, which had been a hallmark of his career
from his days at Peoria Central High School to the start of his career in the
NBA were long gone.
It was not until June 16, 2008 before
doctors gave Livingston the all clear to resume basketball activities.
Unfortunately, the Clippers did not make
Livingston a $5.8 million qualifying offer after his contract expired after the
2007-08 season, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
While he received interests from the
Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers about signing him, he signed
a reported two-year deal with the Miami Heat on Oct. 3, 2008.
That stint did not last long as he was
dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 7, 2009 along with cash considerations in
exchange for a Second-Round pick.
On Jan. 7, 2009, Livingston was signed by
the Tulsa 66ers, the then NBA D-League, now G-League affiliate of the Thunder. He
then signed a multi-year deal with the Thunder on Mar. 31, 2009 but was waived
on Dec. 22, 2009.
In the following years, Livingston kept
changing address first with the Wizards. Then with the then Bobcats on a
two-year, $7 million deal. He was then dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of
a three-team deal with the Sacramento Kings and Bobcats. He was traded again on
June 26, 2012 to the Houston Rockets, before they waived him. He signed with
the Wizards on Nov. 15, 2012 but was waived on two days before Christmas that
season, before being claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Livingston then signed with the Brooklyn
Nets in the summer of 2013. In the summer of 2014, he would sign a reported
three-year, $16 million deal with the Warriors, where he would be a part of one
of the best dynasties in NBA history.
His Warriors teammates had great
admiration for the tireless work Livingston displayed in his five seasons with
the team, from him always being ready coming off the bench, which set the tone
for the rest of the second unit and the younger players on the standard of how
the Warriors conducted their business.
The best example of that was how he filled
in for injured two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry during their 2016 postseason run,
where the history making 73-win defending champion Warriors lost in The Finals
to now four-time Kia MVP of the Lakers LeBron James and the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
Livingston joined Boston Celtics’ Hall of
Famer and long-time color analyst for the team for NBC Sports Boston Tom
Heinsohn to spend at least five seasons with one team and make the NBA Finals
each season. Heinsohn helped the Celtics to nine consecutive Finals appearances
from 1956-65, where they were crowned NBA champion in eight of those nine seasons.
What Livingston really displayed in his
climb back to being relevant in the NBA is his sheer will to not let this
horrific injury bring his career to a crashing conclusion.
He reinvented him from being a projected
star to a player that just wanted to land with a team and prove he could stick.
When one team closed their door, he went to another that had and opening and he
took it. He did that again, and again, and again until he found a home, and
carved out a niche for himself, which he did for the Warriors, where he became
a versatile defender, who could check point guards, shooting guards, and at
times small forwards. He was also able to run the offense for head coach Steve
Kerr, which allowed Curry and fellow All-Star Klay Thompson to play off the
ball and either spot up or come off screens and pin downs for three-pointers,
which they would hit a ton of.
“He handled it well,” former NBA guard, Jameer
Nelson, who came into the league in that same 2004 draft said over the weekend
on NBATV’s “Gametime.” “He came back through adversity and made himself a heck
of a career. Played for a couple different teams but found his niche in the
league. Went to Golden State, won a couple of championships, and played his
role and played it well. He was a mid-range shooter, post-up guy. Ran the team
and played as well as he could in his role.”
Former NBA sharp-shooter and studio and
sideline reporter for Turner Sports Dennis Scott echoed those same sentiments of
Livingston saying, “He showed people if you stick to who you are and you can preserve
and get over an injury you can still find a niche in this game.”
“He showed you that get healthy, come in
with the second unit, and now you’re going against that second unit, and you
can still be effective.”
A decade-and-a-half ago, Shaun Livingston
came into the NBA with a lot of hype and promise. Three years into his career, his
career was in jeopardy after a devastating knee injury. He battled back,
bounced from several teams, but found one a perfect partner in the Golden State
Warriors and helped them become a dynasty that won three titles in five
straight appearances in the NBA Finals as the representative of the Western
Conference.
While his overall career numbers were not
spectacular from where he was drafted again No. 4 overall of 6.3 points and 3.0
assists over 833 career games, he found a way to play for a long time in the
National Basketball Association and had a major impact both on the floor as a
role player and off of it with his work in the Oakland, CA community, to taking
part in Warriors camps and being an inspiration to kids where he grew up in Peoria.
Livingston got his shot to play in the pros,
and while he will not be a Hall of Famer, he will be remembered as a player
that through his perseverance and dedication to get back from a serious knee
injury earned the respect and admiration from his Warriors teammates and front office,
to his NBA peers and kids who saw him play in person or on television and or in
person at a community even he was at or a Warriors camp.
“Shaun Livingston’s story is one of the
most inspirational in the history of professional sports,” Warriors general
manager Bob Myers said over the weekend. “What he accomplished after suffering so
many trials and tribulations early in his career is a true testament to who he
is as a person, which has always been characterized by tremendous class, grace
and professionalism. He represents everything that you’d want in a professional
athlete and, most importantly, in a human being. We appreciate what he did for
our team and organization over the last five years, becoming a three-time NBA
champion and a key figure on one of the best teams in NBA history. We wish him
well as he begins the next phase of his life.”
Information, statistics, and quotations are
courtesy of 9/13/19 www.espn.com story, via “The
Associated Press,” “3-Time NBA Champion Livingston Retires at 34;” 9/14/19
11:30 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Jared Greenberg, Jameer Nelson,
and Dennis Scott; 2006-07 Sporting News’ “2006-07 Official NBA Guide,” Page 11;
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Heinsohn; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Livingston.
He was the play-by-play broadcaster for
the Detroit Pistons for 22 seasons. Since 2006, this Ohio native served as the
play-by-play voice for the Cleveland Cavaliers, including the 2015-16 season
where the team won their first NBA title in franchise history and the city’s
first pro sports title since the NFL’s Cleveland Browns won the 1956 NFL
championship. He is also the man who instructed his cameraman to keep rolling
for one of the most memorable moments in college football nearly four decades
ago. At the start of this week we said a sudden goodbye to a true sports
broadcasting treasure.
On Monday, longtime play-by-play man for
the NBA Fred McLeod, whose called a game with a passion that simply poured
right through the television set passed away. He was 67 years old. The cause of
his passing is unknown. He leaves behind his wife Beth, a television
meteorologist in Cleveland, and their three children Sean, Jenna, and Molly.
The viewing of Mr. McLeod’s body took
place on Friday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Busch’s funeral home in
Fairview Park, OH. Mr. McLeod’s funeral service will be held at the Bay
Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, OH on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m.
“Fred McLeod was truly a one-of-a-kind
person and friend,” the Gilbert family said in a statement. “Words cannot
express our feelings as we think about the many special memories we have of
Fred and a relationship that spans four decades. We will miss him tremendously.
Fred was not only a great broadcaster and communicator that informed, explained
and entertained, but he passionately embodied the Cavaliers ‘All for One. One
for All’ DNA in every aspect of his life. He had the gift of connecting with
everyone he interacted with and leaving them feeling happier, stronger, more
positive, and valued. Fred has left an impactful, lasting legacy in Cleveland,
Detroit and beyond. Our family extends our deepest and warmest sympathies
Fred’s entire family, including his wonderful wife Beth, mother Marilyn, sister
Lynn, and his three children, Sean, Jenna, Molly, and each of their families.”
McLeod, a Strongsville, OH native had been
the play-by-play commentator for the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2006 for FOX
Sports Ohio alongside color analyst, known as “Mr. Cavalier,” Austin Carr-
which included the Cavaliers four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals
earlier this decade.
After now four-time Kia MVP for the Los
Angeles Lakers LeBron James, native of Akron, OH led the Cavaliers to a Game 7
victory in the 2016 Finals overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to take down the
then defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors to win the first title in
franchise history, McLeod shed many tears in the calling the games final
seconds, which his wife Beth recorded on her Twitter account @BethHMcLeod.
“Celebrate. Go crazy! Celebrate. The
championship is yours,” were the words McLeod said during those finals seconds
that his wife Beth captured while he was shedding tears. Carr followed that up
by saying, “It’s time!”
This was the city of Cleveland’s first
professional sports title since Hall of Famer Jim Brown led the Cleveland
Browns to the 1964 NFL title.
On his Twitter account @KingJames, LBJ,
who won his third Finals MVP that series said about the passing of McLeod using
crying, prayer and three heart emojis, “Man WHAT!!!??? OMG this is extremely
said@CavsFredMcLeod,. May you rest in Paradise my friend! @BethHMcLeod my
prayers sent above to you and your family!!”
Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love echoed
similar sentiments when he tweeted @kevinlove, “Shocked and saddened to hear
about the loss of Fred McLeod. He was a student of the game. He loved the CAVS
but even more so the fans…Fred worked his ass off for the city of Cleveland and
the NBA. Praying and sending my best to his wife Beth and kids.”
Prior to broadcasting games for the
Cavaliers, McLeod spent 22 seasons as the lead commentator announcing games for
the Detroit Pistons, which included their back-to-back titles in the 1988-89
and 1989-90 seasons. He also served as the television announcer for Cleveland
Indians and Detroit Tigers of MLB.
Besides commentating NBA and MLB contests
for the aforementioned teams of the Midwest, McLeod also spent some time in the
1980s doing sports commentary in San Francisco, CA, where he covered the famed California-Stanford
game where the Golden Bears returned a kickoff on the game’s final play where
the returner weaved through the Cardinal band the final few yards for the
game-winning touchdown.
That play was able to be seen on
television because McLeod in 2014 told Cavalies.com that he instructed his
cameraman to record the final seconds of that tilt in case something strange
were to happen. Something strange did occur, one of the most known plays in the
history of college football.”
“Usually, the photographers would break
down (equipment) and head down to the locker room,” McLeod said. “But I said to
the camera guy: ‘Let’s just shoot it, we have time.’ I always had to fight game
traffic to get back to the studio, but I always like to live on the edge a little
bit anyway, so I said: “Just continue to shoot because you never know what
could happen.”
It is that attention to detail, along with
the fervor and rapport he had first with current Pistons color analyst for FOX
Sports Detroit Greg Kelser and his aforementioned co-pilot in the broadcast
chair Mr. Carr that made McLeod stand out amongst sports broadcasters.
McLeod also had a unique way to describe
when basketball players made a big play at a key moment; when the game was
entering crunch time or when a particular player was really playing at a out of
this world level.
When a Cavs player made a three-pointer,
McLeod would say he hit, “The bottom!” “He picked his pocket,” was how he
described when a Cavaliers player stole the ball from the opponent. “Sweaty
palms time,” is how McLeod describes the closing minutes of a tightly contested
game. McLeod would say when a Cavs player connected on several shots in
succession, “He is hotter than a blowtorch! When James made a shot through a
powerful slam dunk, McLeod would say he just “Shakin’ the lake!” The one call
Cavaliers fans looked forward to the most by McLeod is when he would say
immediately after the final buzzer of a victory by the locals, “a wine and gold
winner.”
That unique and passionate way that Mr.
McLeod called sporting events was from his immense love and passion for sports
that he conveyed to listeners each night.
It was matched also with a remarkable
class and respect where he would welcome visitors to his city with open arms
and willing to lend a helping hand.
Mr. McLeod gave a lot of love to anyone he
personally came in contact with or who watched him through the television set;
to the players that he covered and to the people he worked with on broadcast.
“He loved the fact that people thought he
was too pro Cavs and too for the team,” ESPN.com writer and fellow Ohio native
Brian Windhorst said. “That was a role he totally embraced. And it was
something he did from day one.”
No person was more of a fan of the
Cavaliers than McLeod, which he displayed through every broadcast first with
the Pistons and with the Cavaliers.
“Fans watched Cavs games every night felt
that same bond. That he was talking to them as one of them,” Joe Vardon of “The
Athletic” said of McLeod’s broadcast. “I wouldn’t necessarily call him the
voice of the Cavs, so much as the heart of the Cavs.”
Mr. McLeod’s sports broadcasting journey
began in 1974 for KQTV in St. Joseph, MS. He later moved on to WSTV in
Steubenville, OH.
In the late 1970s, he returned to what is
now known as “The Land,” as a weekend sports presenter for then WJKW-TV 8, now
WJW FOX 8 and play-by-play commentator for the station’s coverage of Indians
baseball during the 1979 season. McLeod would later move on to the CBS
affiliate KPIX-TV 5 in San Francisco as their sports presenter and play-by-play
man for the MLB’s Oakland Athletics.
In 1982, McLeod moved to Detroit, MI and
became the sports broadcaster for FOX affiliate WJBK and later with WDIV-TV 4.
Two years later, Mr. McLeod was hired as
the television play-by-play voice of the Pistons until 2006. He would then move
on to be the voice of the Cavaliers and the rest is history.
On Monday the Cleveland Cavaliers lost
their long-time play-by-play television voice for their broadcast. The National
Basketball Association (NBA) lost one of its best storytellers of live games.
Beth McLeod lost her husband, and her three children in Sean, Jenna and Molly
lost their father way too soon.
In his time on this earth though, Mr.
McLeod had a major impact on not just the people he met in person; or who he
talked to through the small screen during televised pro and collegiate sports
events, but the people he worked with on the television side to the players
that were especially part of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fred McLeod was a great husband, father,
and human being as well as a play-by-play sports commentator. He was an even
better person who earned the respect of those he worked with and from those who
worked in his profession.
“To know Fred was to know Fred was just
the TV play-by-play man for the Cavs and prior to that the Pistons. Fred was
the biggest fans of the NBA,” NBATV’s Jared Greenberg said of the now late NBA
broadcast peer on Wednesday’s edition of “Gametime.” “Fred was a rare breed, a
true gentleman welcoming everyone to his city with open arms, and always
willing to offer a helping hand. Fred love this game and to those of us who had
the pleasure of getting to know him either in person or from the couch through
the TV we too loved Fred.”
As host of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” Rachel
Nichols said on Monday’s edition, “He will be very missed.”
Information, statistics, and quotations
are courtesy of 9/10/19 www.nba.com
story, “Cavaliers Play-By-Play Announcer Fred McLeod Dies;” 9/10/19 3 p.m. edition
of “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Amin Elhassan, and Scottie
Pippen; 9/12/19 www.wxyz.com’s
post, “Funeral Arrangements Announced For Former Detroit Sportscaster Fred
McLeod;” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJW_(TV);
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJBK;
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WDIV-TV;
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_McLeod_(sportscaster).
There is a lot for Candace Parker,
perennial All-Star, and WNBA champion to be excited about these days. Her team
is in the WNBA Playoffs with their eyes square on winning the franchise’s
fourth WNBA title under the guidance of new head coach and five-time NBA
champion with the Los Angeles Lakers Derek Fisher. The Chicago native got even
more exciting news as she will be seen more on the small screen during the NBA
season.
Turner Sports and Parker, the soon to be
Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee on Monday reach a multiyear contract extension
where one of the most decorated basketball players of all-time will continue to
be a full-time contributor as a studio analyst and commentator for the NBA on
TNT, NBATV, and CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Tournament.
The five-time All-Star, 2008 WNBA Rookie
of the Year and two-time WNBA MVP will also co-host a new podcast alongside NBA
on TNT sideline reporter and fellow NBATV studio host Kristen Ledlow that will
debut for the 2019-20 NBA season.
“I am excited to rejoin the family,”
Parker said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg on “Gametime” on Wednesday. “I miss my
guys. I miss you guys, you know. It’s been a little busy this summer, but I’m
excited to get back.”
The two-time NCAA champion in her time
with the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, the No. 1 overall pick of the
Sparks in the draft in 2008, begin their quest for their fourth WNBA title
versus the defending champion Seattle Storm (19-16) on Sunday afternoon at 3
p.m. EST on ESPN 2, will have an integral role of TNT’s NBA coverage this
upcoming season, primarily as a studio analyst for the network’s Tuesday night
telecasts. The three-time All-WNBA selection will also continue her
contributions as an analyst for NBATV’s studio shows, while continuing her
contributing duties as a studio analyst for Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ NCAA
Tournament coverage.
As excited as she is to rejoin the Turner
Sports family, Parker is just as excited about the Sparks chances of winning
their aforementioned fourth WNBA title as they take on the three-time champion
Storm, who advanced to the next single elimination tilt with a 84-74 win versus
the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx (18-17) on Wednesday night.
“We know that we got our work cut out for
us, you know,” Parker, whose team earned a First-Round bye as the No. 3 Seed in
the WNBA this regular-season with a 22-12 mark said of her squad’s first
opponent of the 2019 WNBA postseason. “Seattle played a great game. Obviously,
their guard play was extremely well tonight with [Jordan] Canada and Jewell
Loyd really carrying the load.”
“So, I just think defensively, that’s
where we start. I know Coach Fisher would love hearing that. But I really do
think we take care if we take care of business defensively, we’re able to get
out in transition, you know, that’s what we want to do.”
In a time where women rising in all ranks
of life has taken centerstage more than ever, those who have risen have put
themselves in position to be prepared for when that moment comes.
Candace Parker is the best example of
taking opportunity and running with it, and not looking back. The game of
basketball has taken her across this globe and built lifelong relationships. It
has given her the opportunity to talk about the game of hoops for a living.
Perhaps the biggest thing that has allowed
Parker to rise both as a player on the hardwood and now with her deal with
Turner Sports is that she found something that she loves to do. Put in a lot of
hard work and be the kind of person who can be in a team atmosphere and thrive
in it.
Over the course of this past NBA season
when you saw Parker on the set during NBATV’s “Gametime,” during the NBA on TNT
or during the NCAA Tournament for CBS Sports, she was remarkable and insightful
with her analysis, which made the broadcast even better, which Senior Vice
President of Talent Services and Special Projects for Turner Sports/Bleacher
Report Tara August pointed out at the start of this week.
“Candace has quickly become a standout
voice for our NBA and NCAA coverage and we’re thrilled for her return in this
expanded role,” August said. “Candace’s love for the game and unique abilities
to share her insights in a way that resonates with today’s fan are special.
We’re excited to see her shine across a growing number of shows and platforms.”
From an early age Parker found her
calling, which was basketball, and she put in a great deal of hard work and
dedication to be great at it. It made her a legend first high schooler in
Naperville, IL. Then at the University of Tennessee under the late great Hall
of Famer head coach Pat Summitt, where the team went 100-10 and won
back-to-back NCAA titles in 2007-08 and Parker averaged 19.4 points, 8.8
rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks.
Following that stellar career at UT,
Parker as mentioned earlier became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft by
the Sparks and that season became the first player in WNBA history to be named
WNBA Rookie of the Year and league MVP in the same season.
Other career accolades include as
mentioned five All-Star appearances, winning MVP of the 2013 mid-season classic
and helped to lead the Team USA’s Women’s National Basketball squad to
back-to-back Olympic Gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
We all have dreams of doing great things.
We all want to be in a profession where it is a joy to come to work and be paid
well for it. We all have a dream of being a part of something where the people
we are around respect and enjoy being in our company. These are the things that
Candace Parker has earned and takes great pride in it, and understands that the
individual success she has achieved is in part that she has been able to do it
within the a team concept first as an amateur, then on the collegiate level,
then on the professional level both on the court and on the small screen as an
analyst.
“I would just really encourage everybody
to just stick with it and work as hard as you can,” Parker said when asked by
NBATV’s Dennis Scott about the advice she would gives to young women about who
want to be involved with basketball.
Parker added, “I think I would say just
follow love and you know, a team atmosphere, whether your gonna play
professionally or not-being on a team teaches you about life. It teaches you
how to work and you know, the workforce, because everything you do is gonna
require a team effort.”
Information, statistics, and quotations
are courtesy of 9/9/19 www.nba.com
story, “Candace Parker, Turner Sports Reach Multiyear Extension;” 9/12/19 12
a.m. edition NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Jared Greenberg, Dennis Scott, and Jameer
Nelson; https://www.wnba.com/standings/#?season=2019; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Parker.
